Workshop summary

AI is making assessment and curriculum redesign an urgent priority across Irish higher education. The Higher Education Authority (HEA), through its National Policy Framework on Generative AI in Teaching and Learning, highlights the need for responsible, inclusive and pedagogically sound approaches to AI, and designing more authentic, process-focused assessments that make students’ learning and capabilities visible. For university teams, the challenge is turning these principles into practical changes that work for their students and disciplines, while recognising educators’ already demanding workloads and finding ways to make assessment more manageable rather than adding to the burden.

One approach worth exploring is portfolio-based assessment, which connects evidence of students’ skills, feedback and reflection throughout their learning journey, offering a richer picture of their development than a final submission alone. By connecting learning across modules and aligning assessment with programme-level learning outcomes, portfolios can also support a more coherent approach to curriculum design. We’ll explore how these approaches can be put into practice through Portflow, helping students demonstrate both how they learn and the skills they develop.

Join us for a free, hands-on workshop bringing together higher education professionals (including learning designers, programme leaders, academic developers, and anyone interested in assessment and curriculum redesign) from across Ireland to share assessment challenges, exchange experiences and explore practical approaches to redesign. Whether you’re rethinking assessment in response to AI, looking for ways to strengthen student engagement, or exploring how to make students’ skills and development more visible, this is an opportunity to work through ideas with peers facing similar challenges.

In collaboration with the University of Limerick, the workshop will also contribute to gather the Irish community of practice on ePortfolios. The event will offer an opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and explore future collaboration around ePortfolio practices, while building connections across Irish higher education institutions.

Bring a challenge, contribute your perspective and help shape the conversation!